Writing-tablet



(No Model.)

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No. 479,632. Patented-July 26, 1892.

WfI/VESSE UNITED STATES CALVIN D. CRANE,

OF DAYTON, OHIO.

WRITING-TABLET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,632, dated July 26, 1892.

Application filed June 22, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN D. CRANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVriting Tablets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in writing tablets or pads; and the invention consists, first, in an improved means for securing or supporting sheets of writing-paper to or upon a base or board in a detachable manner, and in this respect is an improvement upon what is set forth in Letters Patent of the United States No. 395,771, dated January 8, 1889, granted to me for paper-holders,and, secondly, myinvention relates to an improved means of guiding the writer in straight lines across unruled paper and of blotting or absorbing the ink for] the usual purpose.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a folding cover or base and a writing-pad and my improvements in con nection therewith; Fig. 2, a sectional view on the line ma: of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a sectional view on the line y y of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a detail view of the clamping-plate; Fig. 5, a detail view of a clamping-nut; Fig. 6, a perspective View of a different form of writing-pad with my writing-guide and blotter attachment applied thereto; and Fig; 7, a detail elevation of a portion of the base, writing-sheets, and cover.

The letter A designates a folding-cover of strawboard or other suitable material, fashioned after the manner of the cover of a book with the pages removed. This cover has a wing B, back proper C, a wing D, and a flap E, there being a hinge or flexible connection between the back O and each wing and the flap and thewing D. Bythis construction thetablet or pad, with its attachments, may be inclosed by folding the cover into a closed position. I wish to be understood, however, as not limiting myself to this style of cover, as any suitable base for the clamping device will answer Serial No. 397,066. (No model.)

the purpose. This clamping attachment con sists of a screw-threaded post F, having a broad head G. The post is passed through the base with a plate H between the base and the head G to enlarge the bearing-surface to assist in supporting the base. A jam-nut I screws upon the post and bears down upon the base G. The edge is notched, as shown at J in Fig. 5, to receive a suitable wrench. The plate H performs the further function of a support for pillars K, which extend up through the base B and also through a plate K (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3) in case such plate is used, the purpose of it being to enlarge the bearing of the jam-nut and to additionally support such pillars K. A clamping-plate L slides on the pillars and comes down upon the series of blank sheets of paper M. This plate is recessed or provided with an open slot, as shown at O in Fig. 4, and receives a thumb-nut P, grooved at Q to fit the plate by the slot. This nut .is recessed at R to receive the head of the post F, enlarged, by preference, to prevent the dislocation of the nut-which screws upon it. The nut preferably has two milled edges S. From this description the construction and operation of my clamp will be understood.

Referring to the second feature of my invention, it will be understood that the writing-guide and the blotter may be used with the writing-tablet, irrespective of the character or kind of cover or base upon which writing-sheets are mounted.

Fig. 1 shows one style, and Fig. 6 another style, of base. In the former figure the sheets are held by my improved clamp, and in the latter figure are held at one end by glue or some other adhesive substance applied along ,the line 2 in the usualway. I will first describe the attachment of the guide and blotter as shown in Fig. 1. A rod 3 of wire is offset, as shown at 4, and inserted in a loop 5, of fabric or metal, secured to the base B. The ofiset in the wire prevents it from slipping out endwise. The other end of the wire is hooked into a similar loop 6. The guide 7, which is a sheet of paper ruled on both sides, the lines being closer on one side than the other, is folded over the wire 3 and secured by mucilage or otherwise, as shown at 8. When it is desired to write on the tablet, the guide 7 is laid beneath the page. When it is desired to write upon lines comparatively far apart, that side of the guide is presented next to the top sheet of the tablet and under it, and when it is desired to write on lines comparatively close together the other side of the guide is laid under'the top sheet of the tablet. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the closer lines will be presented when the guide is laid over on the paper. To present the lines farther apart, the wire 3 is bent or sprung enough to disengage it from the loop 6 when the guide is slipped from the Wire and reversed end for end, and then slipped back on the wire when now to the blotter, a similar wire 9, with a similar offset, is secured by a similar loop to the base at one end and by another similar loop to the base at the other end. The blotter 10 is folded about the wire as suggested at 11, and secured by mucilage or otherwise, so that it may slide back and forth on the said wire 9. The blotter is notched at 12, so that it may be brought down low enough to cover the lower edge of the sheet and absorb the ink, no matter how near said' lower edge one may write. The same description applies to the form shown in Fig. 6 in so far as concerns the manner of using the guide and the-blotter,.though in this figure, as above suggested, the special clamping device is omitted and the loose sheets held as in the ordinary form of tablet, and a thin covering 13 is preferably provided.

Thus it will be seen that I provide a complete writing outfit in so far as concerns paper, a means of holding it, a guide for the pen,

and a blotter to absorb the ink and prevent soiling the sheets in writing. The article is simple and cheaply made and very convenient, particularly to a traveling salesman and others who are required to write while traveling. At the same time it is a convenient article for office and library use and a valuable addition to the portmanteau.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desirev to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l'. As'an improved article of manufacture, a writing-tablet consisting of a base, a screwthreaded post and pillars carried by the base, a thumb-nut on the post, a clamping-plate on the pillars and engaged by said nut, writingsheets held by the clamping-plate, a wire attached to the base on each side ot the writing-paper and detachable, a writingguide consisting of a sheet ruled on both sides and carried by one of saidwires, and a blotter carried by the other wire.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a paper holder or clampconsisting of abase and a screw-post carried thereby, pillars also carried thereby,.a clamping-plate sliding on the pillar and having. an open slot at one edge,

and a thumb-nut grooved toreceive the plate and fitted to said slot and mounted upon said post.

In testimony whereof Iaftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CALVIN D. CRANE. WVitnessesz.

WM. H. RUssELL, H. L. J ACOBS. 

